Cervical Cerclage
Some women suffer from what is called an incompetent cervix. An incompetent cervix makes a woman more susceptible to giving birth prematurely, since the weak or incompetent cervix struggles to remain closed throughout the pregnancy. This is when a cervical cerclage comes in.
What is Cervical Cerclage?
A cervical cerclage is a surgical procedure that is done to a woman with a weakened cervix while she is pregnant. The doctor goes in and sews the cervix closed. A cerclage is used to prevent early changes in a woman’s cervix which leads to preventing premature labor or birth. Generally, a doctor knows this procedure is necessary during 12-14 weeks pregnant, or around the third month. In some cases, a woman doesn’t show any signs of a weak cervix until later in the pregnancy. If a woman needs a cerclage late in her pregnancy, the procedure is known as an emergent cerclage. If an emergent cerclage is needed, chances are future pregnancies will also need a cervical cerclage.
Stitches are placed around the cervix after anesthesia is administered (general, spinal or epidural options). A doctor uses a band of strong thread around the cervix, closing it shut and preventing it from opening while the woman is pregnant.
Why Are Cervical Cerclage Done?
In most cases, women are susceptible to incompetent cervixes due to events that happened in the past. These events can include:
- Damage to cervix from previous pregnancy termination
- A previous ‘cone biopsy’ or a LEEP procedure
- History of 2nd trimester miscarriages
- Previous cervical cerclage
- Previous emergent cerclage
- Abnormal cervix before conception
Benefits of Cervical Cerclage
There are numerous benefits associated with this procedure for mothers and babies. This procedure is known to prevent miscarriages or premature labor caused by an incompetent cervix. With that, more than 85% of cases are successful when this procedure is done. Even though a weak cervix can be hard to diagnose, the cervical cerclage has proven to be very effective. Another benefit of cervical cerclage is that it doesn’t prevent the labor and birth from happening any sooner or later than it would have normally.
Risks of Cervical Cerclage
Most of the risks that can occur rarely happen, and most doctors believe it can be a life-saving procedure that outweighs the risks involved. Some of the risks that may happen are:
- Nausea and vomiting due to the anesthesia
- Ruptured membranes
- Cervical infection
- Premature contractions (unrelated to Braxton Hicks contractions)
- Cervix may not dilate correctly during labor
- Laceration on the cervix if labor begins before cerclage is removed
When to Call Your Doctor
If you’ve had the procedure done, there are symptoms and signs you should look for to detect a problem early on. These symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Water leakage
- Your water breaks
- Vaginal discharge has a foul odor
- Vaginal bleeding
- Contractions
- Cramping
- Lower abdominal or back pain that comes and goes like labor pain
